Deadly amoeba kills 14-year-old Olympic hopeful

The disease is extremely rare but fatal.

Three-time Junior Olympics qualifier Michael Riley passed away last Sunday after a short battle with a rare brain infection. His family says they will pursue a campaign for a better understanding of the disease to honor the short, but well-lived, life of the teen.

MUNTINLUPA, PHILIPPINES (Catholic Online) - "Michael fought a courageous fight over the past week, allowing him to move on to be with the Lord for future heavenly tasks, a beautiful set of wings, and a pair of gold running shoes," wrote the Riley family on Facebook, confirming the death of the young athlete.

Michael's family suspected he contracted the rare and fatal amoeba-eating bacteria during an outing with his cross-country team at the Sam Houston State Park. The teen reportedly swam in the lake along with his new trackmates. Nearly a week later Michael reportedly suffered from headaches and a fever, states the family's website dedicated to his battle.

Just after 24 hours, he became confused and disoriented, leading doctors to suspect the rare Naegleria fowleri amoeba. This "brain-eating" amoeba naturally lives in freshwater and enters through the nose which causes irreversible damage. Only a few people having reportedly survived this disease.

"These disease-causing organisms are naturally present in most lakes, ponds, and rivers but multiply rapidly in very warm and stagnant water," explained the Oklahoma State Department of Health.

Michael's family decided to raise awareness of the Naegleria fowleri amoeba. They stated on the Facebook page that they wanted to spare others the "tremendous pain and agony that follows the onset of Naegleria fowleri and primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM)."

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